The Magpies were without injured No.1 ruckman Brodie Grundy and Gawn had a field day on Friday as the Demons won by 24 points at the Holden Centre.

Melbourne have recruited Preuss from North Melbourne to provide back-up for Gawn and the strongly-built big man kicked two goals in the 11.6 (72) to 7.6 (48) victory.

Preuss also threw his weight around and despite the potential tribunal consequences, Gawn likes what he saw.

"He'll get suspended this year - there were some genuine hits out there today, the big boy," Gawn said.

"That's how we want him to play. His strength is his strength and he's able to crack in.

"He took a couple of clunks and he can kick them a mile."

Preuss did not play a senior game for North last year but going on Friday's showing he is staking a big claim for the Demons round-one team against Port Adelaide.

"It really is a key element to the double ruck, that one of us can play forward," Gawn said.

"What he did today, it shows he probably can."

The two teams were missing several key players, due to injury and Friday night's AFLX tournament.

Christian Salem also impressed Gawn, while Collingwood pair Jamie Elliott and Darcy Moore also had solid games.

After missing all last year through injury, Elliott kicked the opening two goals of the game.

"To get him through a game like today for him is just a massive tick in his corner," said Magpies assistant coach Robert Harvey.

Moore looked proppy in the first half after a knock to his hip, but took two big marks in the third term.

Returning midfielder Dayne Beams also kicked two goals for the Magpies.

In more good news for Collingwood, forward Jordan De Goey is making good progress after suffering a foot injury a week ago.

"He's walking around fine, so he's recovering probably better than we thought," Harvey said.

Australian Associated Press